Why 10 Years and 75 Years Old Makes Sense

Ten years is reasonable, logical, and easy to remember and apply to any elected office. It is also consistent with the most well-known term limit in America – the two-term limit on the Presidency reflected in the 22nd Amendment. 

Application of the rule would lead to similar two-term limits on most executive offices (which commonly have four-year terms), five terms for U.S. and many state House of Representatives terms, and one term for U.S. and many state Senate bodies. This rule would not prevent an individual from serving more than 10 years in different elected offices (for example, five terms as a U.S. Representative, and one term as a U.S. Senator would be acceptable).

It is no secret that our physical and mental capacities diminish as we get older. According to the National Institutes of Health, "[a]pproximately two out of three Americans experience some level of cognitive impairment at an average age of approximately 70 years." While individual situations may vary, drawing a line at 75 years old is reasonable under the circumstances.

Applying this rule would be simple; if a candidate will not complete the term for an elected office before they attain 75 years of age, they are not eligible to run for that office.

Term limits and age restrictions address different problems. Term limits help prevent politicians from becoming disconnected from those they represent and from prioritizing re-election over everything else. Age limits help ensure that those who represent us maintain independent judgment, and help prevent the possibility that they will become impaired, or even manipulated by others.